Artworks
This shrine is believed to house an extremely significant natural artifact in Jerusalem.
What is The Dome of The Rock?
The Ardabil Carpet is made using this textile technique.
What is weaving (pile carpet weaving)?
Islamic religious art often avoids this type of imagery.
What is figural representation (in sacred contexts)?
The Dome of the Rock is built on a site sacred to these religions.
What are Islam, Christianity, and Judaism?
This decorative writing style is highly valued in Islamic art.
What is (Kufic) calligraphy?
This mosque is known for its hypostyle hall and reused Roman columns.
What is Great Mosque of Córdoba?
This decorative tilework technique uses small pieces to form geometric designs.
What is mosaic / tessellation?
The Dome of the Rock features inscriptions emphasizing this belief.
What is monotheism / the oneness of God?
This religious practice revolves around walking in a meditative state at or around a religious site.
What is Circumambulation?
This term refers to intricate geometric and vegetal designs.
What is arabesque?
This manuscript contains detailed Persian miniature paintings of epic stories.
What is Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp (Bahram Gur Fights the Karg) ?
This architectural element creates a transition from a square base to a dome.
What is a squinch?
The Great Mosque of Córdoba reflects this cultural blending.
What is Islamic + Roman/Visigothic influence?
The Ardabil Carpet was originally made for this setting.
What is a mosque / religious space?
This design principle, seen in the Great Mosque of Córdoba, creates a sense of endless repetition and reflects the infinite nature of God.
What is infinite pattern / repetition?
This luxury metalwork object from Mamluk Egypt features intricate inlaid designs and scenes of courtly life.
What is Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis)?
The Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis) demonstrates this advanced metalworking technique where precious metals are embedded into a base surface.
What is metal inlay (gold and silver inlaid into brass)?
The Alhambra emphasizes this concept through religious floral/vegetal decoration.
What is paradise / heavenly garden imagery?
What direction is the Black Stone facing that is located on the Kaaba?
What is East (eastward)?
The intricate surface decoration of the Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis) reflects this concept, where luxury objects display status through highly detailed craftsmanship and materials.
What is courtly patronage / display of wealth and power?
This illustrated manuscript page depicts the enthroned first king of Persia surrounded by a heavenly court.
What is The Court of Gayumars?
The The Court of Gayumars demonstrates this highly detailed painting technique characterized by fine brushwork, flattened perspective, and intricate patterning.
What is Persian miniature painting?
In the Court of Gayumar's artwork, what is being depicted?
What is Illustrates Firdausi’s Shahnama (Book of Kings), recounting Persian legendary history.
This mudra of Buddha which shows one hand raised upward and another located downwards indicates?
What is Enlightenment (Nirvana)?
The combination of calligraphy, geometry, and vegetal motifs in works like the Folio from a Qur’an reflects this key Islamic idea about the relationship between art and divine revelation.
What is the visual expression of the sacred word (Qur’an) as the primary form of religious art?